Clear Wood Fillers

[daryl@kit-chens]

Hi Folks
Im looking for a clear transparent filler suitable to use on finished furniture.

I get repair work from some furniture retailers around town and most of the jobs are knocks and dents. I've tried steaming them out and some have been successful and some not. I've heard of clear epoxy fillers that are hard enough to sand and shape.

I have to be careful not to use something that will alter the colour of the damaged area and isn't too glossy. These are not full restorations where I'd be rubbing back the finish, filling and then re-finishing. It's a little like getting a small dent fixed on the door of a car, where you are only fixing the damaged area not the whole thing.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you...Daryl

[Lyle]

24 Hour cure araldite, some casting resins might be the go too.
Casting resins might be better, as they'd cure quicker and are very clear. Not too sure about strength though if you were after strength/adhesive-ness.
Both can be sanded, covered with lacquers etc.

Others may have better ideas on products.
Lyle.

[daryl@kit-chens]

Thanks Lyle,
I'm just doing an experiment with some casting resin as I'm writing this. You're right it's very clear, sands and also self levels in the dent.

So far I've been a little impatient and even though what I tried had set, it wasn't what you'd call Rock Hard. So I'll do it again to see just how hard it can get.

Thanks again for your help Lyle. I'm still open for any further ideas.

Cheers Daryl

[Ubernoob]

You could try loading your resin with some milled glass fibre, a small amount shouldn't affect the finish and it will gain some strength.

[Master Splinter]

Epoxy with a clear hardener - you'll recognise it also as that tabletop varnish alternative ("Equal to 50 coats of varnish!"), but it is just epoxy - Pour On Gloss : Boatcraft Pacific, the home of wooden boat building. (http://boatcraft.com.au/Shop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_21)

Mixed correctly it's rock hard.

[Lyle]

Agree, mixed correctly it is hard. I use digital scales to get correct mix ratio.
However it is so hard it can chip.
So be aware of that for the location of the repair. Is it likely to be knocked etc.

[daryl@kit-chens]

Thanks guys.
Thanks for the reminder of Boatcraft. I remember seeing their ad in one the wood mags. Regarding positioning of Boatcraft's product, most of the knocks and sings are on edges. So whatever I use it need to stick to the furniture.

Again in thanks for your help and if there are any other ideas out there, I'm still open to hear them.

Cheers Daryl